CSU-Pueblo is playing in the stadium formerly known as Cowboys Stadium

Posted By Terry Frei On August 5, 2013 @ 6:09 pm In College Sports,CSU-Pueblo,Football,RMAC | No Comments

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Associated Press file)

COLORADO SPRINGS — I lobbied to attend the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Media Day on Monday, primarily because I like the folks in the league and am intrigued by Division II football as a change of pace. I’ve even attended the NCAA Division II championship game in Florence, Alabama, twice — once with Portland State and once with Northern Colorado before both schools moved up to Division I.

My story on coaching veterans John L. Smith of Fort Lewis College, picked to finish last in the league, and John Wristen of CSU-Pueblo, picked to finish first again, is here[1] and in the Tuesday paper. I also gathered material for a future story on the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, coached by Bob Stitt and quarterbacked by former Denver Post Gold Helmet winner Matt Brown. (Now tentatively slotted for Thursday’s paper.)

But here’s something left over: CSU-Pueblo has a couple of intriguing games to open its schedule. It starts with a game against UNC at Greeley on Sept. 7, then the next week faces Angelo State in the palatial AT&T Stadium (formerly Cowboys Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, on September 14. It will be part of the Lone Star Conference’s Football Festival at the stadium Sept. 12-14. The RMAC’s Chadron State also is involved, facing Lone Star Conference member West Texas A&M at the stadium on Sept. 12.

CSU-Pueblo athletic director Joe Folda said the original agreement was for a home-and-home series with Angelo State, with the game this season in Pueblo, but the Thunderwolves agreed to switch, to go to Texas this year and to play host next year. The enticement was a chance to play in Jerry Jones’ amazing stadium.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Folda said. “I think it’s going to be exciting for our kids, more than anything. Our fans are excited about it, and I’m excited about it.”

Said Wristen: “It’s a great opportunity for our players. Our coaches have coached in different stadiums and done those things. But for our players, they’re really excited to go to that stadium. . . One, it’s a reward for those guys and, two, it validates your program.”